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Gas line rupture evacuates downtown South Bend

South Bend, Ind.

A majority of downtown South Bend has been evacuated this morning after a gas line ruptured on W. Jefferson.

Posted: 8:44 AM Oct 7, 2010
Reporter: NewsCenter 16 Staff

A majority of downtown South Bend has been evacuated this morning after a gas line ruptured on W. Jefferson.

It happened just after 8:15 a.m. in the 100-block near the Wells Fargo Bank. The mandatory evacuation includes all buildings south of Washington, which is about a four-block radius.

Those on scene say they can smell a strong odor and can hear a hissing sound from the leak. NISPCO says a crew under contract with them was doing work when the hit one of the four gas lines running through downtown South Bend. One of those lines has been shut off, but they are still working on the other three.

NIPSCO is handling the situation while police and firefighters secure the scene. Streets have been blocked off and officials are asking people to avoid the area; however officials say everything to the west of Lafayette is clear.

Among buildings evacuated include Wells Fargo, HealthWorks Museum, County-City Building and St. Joseph County Courthouse. Notre Dame has opened the Joyce Athletic and Convocation Center for all evacuees. TRANSPO buses are available to take people from McDonald’s on North Michigan to the JACC.

Our crew at the JACC say that hundreds are already there.

The St. Joseph County Public Library delayed their opening until noon, but have since closed for the rest of the day. All of the county and city buildings, including those offering absentee voting, will also be closed for the rest of the day. If you were planning on voting absentee, you can go to the County Services building in Mishawaka.

Parents have also picked their children up from St. Joseph Grade School. The elementary school closed after gas could be smelled in the building.

So far there’s no word on if or when people will be allowed back in the evacuated buildings. Many people also don’t have access to their cars as they’re parked in the evacuated areas.

TRANSPO is suspending many of its routes because of the leak. They will be releasing further details on that soon.

http://www.wndu.com/hometop/headlines/Gas_..._104482409.html

Stay with NewsCenter 16 both on the area and online for updates.